Barber's clock: Difference between revisions
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The '''Barber's clock''' was a large illuminated clock and sign formerly atop the [[ | [[Image:Barber's clock.jpg|right|325px|thumb|The Barber's clock, photographed July 2, 2003]] | ||
The '''Barber's clock''' was a large illuminated clock and sign formerly atop the [[Shepherd-Sloss building]] at the corner of [[Highland Avenue]] and [[20th Street South]] in historic [[Five Points South]]. | |||
The | The building's design provided for a rooftop sign from the beginning. As soon as the building was completed in [[1928]], [[Buffalo Rock]] erected an electric sign advertising their [[Buffalo Rock Ginger Ale|ginger ale]] with the slogan "Keep Healthy, Drink Buffalo Rock" alongside an animated bottle that poured a stream of amber lights into an illuminated glass. This sign replaced Buffalo Rock's monumental four-story [[Buffalo Rock sign]] at their former [[26th Street North]] headquarters. | ||
Sometime in the mid-1950's the Buffalo Rock slogan was removed and a new advertisement for [[Barber's Dairies]] was attached to the same framework. The sign featured the Barber's logo illuminated with a multitude of light bulbs on a red background. Beneath this were the words ''milk'' and ''ice cream'' in neon letters with the word ''best'' flashing in white neon. On the bottom right was a weathered, analogue clock face. | |||
[[Barber Companies]], which sold Barber Dairies to Dean Foods in [[1997]], removed the iconic sign in August [[2004]] in order to make repairs to the roof of the building, which houses [[Bell Bottoms]] dance club. [[Don Erwin]], speaking on behalf of the company, expressed doubt as to whether it would be put back up since it was in poor physical condition, unlikely to meet electrical code, and was anchored into the roof structure in a manner that was no longer accessible after the repairs. | |||
Almost immediately after its removal a grassroots organization, led by [[Tom Cosby]], formed to support returning the clock to its former location. The clock and signage remain in storage pending further action. | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
* Carlton, Bob. (September 9, 2004) "Group wants to reset icon Barber clock at Southside". ''Birmingham News''. | * Carlton, Bob. (September 9, 2004) "Group wants to reset icon Barber clock at Southside". ''Birmingham News''. | ||
* Jordan, Phillip (December 16, 2004) "[http://www.birminghamweekly.com/archived/pages/20041216_coverstory.php Where has the time gone? Five Points symbol remains grounded]." ''Birmingham Weekly''. - accessed October 27, 2006 | |||
* [http://www. | |||
[[Category:20th Street South|1201]] | [[Category:20th Street South|1201]] | ||
[[Category:Highland Avenue|2001]] | [[Category:Highland Avenue|2001]] | ||
[[Category:1928 works]] | [[Category:1928 works]] | ||
Revision as of 10:24, 27 October 2006
The Barber's clock was a large illuminated clock and sign formerly atop the Shepherd-Sloss building at the corner of Highland Avenue and 20th Street South in historic Five Points South.
The building's design provided for a rooftop sign from the beginning. As soon as the building was completed in 1928, Buffalo Rock erected an electric sign advertising their ginger ale with the slogan "Keep Healthy, Drink Buffalo Rock" alongside an animated bottle that poured a stream of amber lights into an illuminated glass. This sign replaced Buffalo Rock's monumental four-story Buffalo Rock sign at their former 26th Street North headquarters.
Sometime in the mid-1950's the Buffalo Rock slogan was removed and a new advertisement for Barber's Dairies was attached to the same framework. The sign featured the Barber's logo illuminated with a multitude of light bulbs on a red background. Beneath this were the words milk and ice cream in neon letters with the word best flashing in white neon. On the bottom right was a weathered, analogue clock face.
Barber Companies, which sold Barber Dairies to Dean Foods in 1997, removed the iconic sign in August 2004 in order to make repairs to the roof of the building, which houses Bell Bottoms dance club. Don Erwin, speaking on behalf of the company, expressed doubt as to whether it would be put back up since it was in poor physical condition, unlikely to meet electrical code, and was anchored into the roof structure in a manner that was no longer accessible after the repairs.
Almost immediately after its removal a grassroots organization, led by Tom Cosby, formed to support returning the clock to its former location. The clock and signage remain in storage pending further action.
References
- Carlton, Bob. (September 9, 2004) "Group wants to reset icon Barber clock at Southside". Birmingham News.
- Jordan, Phillip (December 16, 2004) "Where has the time gone? Five Points symbol remains grounded." Birmingham Weekly. - accessed October 27, 2006